Motorola Inc. is gaining traction with schools and universities moving toward wireless networks by providing technology that helps keep students and faculty connected, enhancing learning and production.
Divisions of Motorola are working together to package 802.11n Wi-Fi and its touted messaging service to public schools, colleges and universities around the world.
So far, the Illinois-based company has outfitted schools and universities in Texas, California, Ohio and India.
Wireless Wi-Fi and messaging are becoming important aspects for school districts and colleges and is expected to be a fruitful area for business for wireless vendors such as Motorola, said Manish Raii, director of product marketing for Motorola’s enterprise wireless LAN.
“We have seen early adoption of the technology by some hospitals where cellphones are banned,” he said of 802.11n Wi-Fi. “They are using Wi-Fi handsets to communicate. In the next three to four years, this technology is expected to take off at colleges and schools. There will be rapid adoption, and we are beginning to see that demand.”
Plenty of room to grow
Earlier this year, ABI Research projected that 802.11n Wi-Fi would be available on 99% of college campuses by 2013. The research firm also said robust growth in Wi-Fi and voice over Wi-Fi will also occur in primary and secondary schools. The growth is remarkable considering 802.11n Wi-Fi is found on only 2.3% of North American universities today, according to ABI.
According to Stan Schatt, VP and research director for ABI, equipment revenue in the global higher education market will increase from $137 million in 2007 to $837 million in 2013, and the global K-12 market will grow from $47 million in 2007 to $644 million in 2013.
Reasons for the adoption are Wi-Fi is becoming a recruitment requirement for college students, and schools are embracing an “anytime-anywhere learning” philosophy. Increased security is also in demand, especially video surveillance. Schools are also placing greater importance on providing network computers to as many students as possible.
Raii said Motorola has technology that can set up a single Wi-Fi network to serve a variety of users and the cost associated with using wireless technology rather than traditional wireline is beneficial in the long run.
Motorola said it can build a network that can provide different access points for students, visitors and faculty and staff. Schools that also invest in the technology will see their investment payoff within three to 12 months, Raii said.
Raii added that a reason why the company offers such a wide variety of services is because of the acquisition of Symbol Technologies two years ago. Symbol focused on manufacturing mobile data capture and delivery equipment.
“In the last couple of years, we have brought together a strong portfolio of services,” Raii said.
To outfit a campus or school with Wi-Fi coverage, Motorola uses wireless bridge technology that provides reliable and secure connectivity.
Motorola recently outfitted Manipal University in Manipal, India, to connect its campuses with Wi-Fi.
Good messaging included
For the messaging aspect, the company is offering its Good Mobile Messaging Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension solution. Earlier this year, the solution was approved for use by agencies within the U.S. Department of Defense.
Motorola Good Technology Group is on the list of a small group of vendors that has passed rigorous government standards regarding sending secure information through wireless devices.
The solution works with all wireless devices that use Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Mobile software.
“We feel like we have a strong security story, which is important within education,” said Mark Williams, director of government sales for Motorola.
Schools that use the messaging solution provide e-mail, calendars and contacts to staff when they are out of the office.
Meade Middleton, a Motorola territory account manager, said school districts that decide to use the messaging solution do so based on the security aspect and it is easy to manage.
Meade has worked to set up the solution in school districts in Cleveland; San Bernadino, Calif.; and Catawba County, N.C.
“These schools want something that works, is secure and is easy to manage,” Meade said.
